Awesometown's Portland Recommendations
Food Scene
Quality Coffee and Doughnuts! Made with cage free eggs and organic ingredients.
403 locals recommend
Blue Star Donuts
3325 SE Division StQuality Coffee and Doughnuts! Made with cage free eggs and organic ingredients.
Gourmet ice cream that's really inventive! There's a line, rain or shine, all year round.
1078 locals recommend
Salt & Straw
2035 NE Alberta StGourmet ice cream that's really inventive! There's a line, rain or shine, all year round.
It's different in a very good way from your standard Mexican fair. It's also a little bit more expensive, but it's so worth it. Local ingredients, imagination, and hard work go into these dishes.
76 locals recommend
Xico
3715 SE Division StIt's different in a very good way from your standard Mexican fair. It's also a little bit more expensive, but it's so worth it. Local ingredients, imagination, and hard work go into these dishes.
My favorite brunch spot! A small menu, but you don't need a lot of choices when everything is so delicious. My favorite is the gluten-free French toast with coconut cardamon syrup. They also do handmade drinks with flowers in them. Expect a wait on the weekend.
29 locals recommend
The Hazel Room
3279 Southeast Hawthorne BoulevardMy favorite brunch spot! A small menu, but you don't need a lot of choices when everything is so delicious. My favorite is the gluten-free French toast with coconut cardamon syrup. They also do handmade drinks with flowers in them. Expect a wait on the weekend.
Cool environment with good sushi. Decent happy hour for mid-day snacks, or late night eats.
45 locals recommend
Yataimura Maru
3810 SE Division StCool environment with good sushi. Decent happy hour for mid-day snacks, or late night eats.
The person who runs this place is awesome, and the flavors are soooooo good. We recommend this place over salt and straw.
52 locals recommend
Pinolo Gelato
3707 SE Division StThe person who runs this place is awesome, and the flavors are soooooo good. We recommend this place over salt and straw.
Teote is a Latin American street food experience celebrating gluten-free arepas, and incredibly delicious and unique menu of exciting cross-cultural flavors and epicurean delights. The covered outdoor seating area and amazing fire pit are amazing and just as unique as the food. Large tables, so it's great for groups or meeting new people. They have been known to host DJ's during the summer months.
99 locals recommend
Teote House Cafe
1615 SE 12th AveTeote is a Latin American street food experience celebrating gluten-free arepas, and incredibly delicious and unique menu of exciting cross-cultural flavors and epicurean delights. The covered outdoor seating area and amazing fire pit are amazing and just as unique as the food. Large tables, so it's great for groups or meeting new people. They have been known to host DJ's during the summer months.
Food cart offering some of the best Thai food I've had in the city...and I've tried most of them.
Pinto Thai Kitchen
1037 SE Hawthorne BlvdFood cart offering some of the best Thai food I've had in the city...and I've tried most of them.
Tov Coffee & Tea
3639 SE Hawthorne BlvdDouble Decker bus serving Turkish coffee.
Classic slice of Americana. Best home baked pie in the city, get it a la mode and with coffee. They also serve brunch, but we have not tried it.
124 locals recommend
Lauretta Jean's
3402 SE Division StClassic slice of Americana. Best home baked pie in the city, get it a la mode and with coffee. They also serve brunch, but we have not tried it.
Build your own poke bowl with a variety of fish and topping options. You can choose white or brown rice as the base, or a kale salad if you prefer to skip grains.
7 locals recommend
SeaSweets Poke
1505 SE 31st AveBuild your own poke bowl with a variety of fish and topping options. You can choose white or brown rice as the base, or a kale salad if you prefer to skip grains.
Excellent wood fired pizza made by hand, along with other Italian options. Sit at the bar where they are cooked, if possible. Mike, who works the pizza oven, is fun to chat with too.
91 locals recommend
Cibo
3539 SE Division StExcellent wood fired pizza made by hand, along with other Italian options. Sit at the bar where they are cooked, if possible. Mike, who works the pizza oven, is fun to chat with too.
When you need a quick bite to eat! Grab a breakfast sandwich right at the end of our street on Hawthorne.
65 locals recommend
Fried Egg I'm In Love
3549 SE Hawthorne BlvdWhen you need a quick bite to eat! Grab a breakfast sandwich right at the end of our street on Hawthorne.
The best Pho! Long-cooked broth with no added MSG. Order the veggie and have them add meat for the best of both worlds. A lovely family-run shop.
7 locals recommend
Butterfly Belly Asian Cuisine
323 Northwest Park AvenueThe best Pho! Long-cooked broth with no added MSG. Order the veggie and have them add meat for the best of both worlds. A lovely family-run shop.
Dwaraka Indian Cuisine
3962 SE Hawthorne BlvdIndian food with quality ingredients = no bloated belly!
Healthy local/organic vegetarian food, with both light and hearty options. 100% gluten free. They also have a large selection of juices, smoothies, and elixirs.
202 locals recommend
Harlow
3632 SE Hawthorne BlvdHealthy local/organic vegetarian food, with both light and hearty options. 100% gluten free. They also have a large selection of juices, smoothies, and elixirs.
Wonderful French bistro-style bakery with take-out or eat-in options and lots of seating. Light and airy baked goods and the sweets aren't too sweet.
104 locals recommend
St. Honoré Bakery SE Division
3333 SE Division StWonderful French bistro-style bakery with take-out or eat-in options and lots of seating. Light and airy baked goods and the sweets aren't too sweet.
The best gluten-free bakery ever! They make a variety of breads, bagels, and pastries, along with breakfast and lunch options. They serve all the best coffee and teas too. Their recipes are not overly starchy or dense like a lot of GF baked goods. They made our wedding cake!
33 locals recommend
New Cascadia Traditional
2502 Southeast Division StreetThe best gluten-free bakery ever! They make a variety of breads, bagels, and pastries, along with breakfast and lunch options. They serve all the best coffee and teas too. Their recipes are not overly starchy or dense like a lot of GF baked goods. They made our wedding cake!
Wood-fired bakery that sells the most delicious sourdough and traditionally made loaves! Go for breakfast - they also serve the best coffee, green tea, and chai available!
Sandwiches are available for lunch and the location is a super-cute historic brick building.
They also offer bread making classes and sell a variety of flours.
81 locals recommend
Tabor Bread
4438 SE Hawthorne BlvdWood-fired bakery that sells the most delicious sourdough and traditionally made loaves! Go for breakfast - they also serve the best coffee, green tea, and chai available!
Sandwiches are available for lunch and the location is a super-cute historic brick building.
They also offer bread making classes and sell a variety of flours.
Essentials
Like a local version of Whole Foods, but better. Grassfed meat, organic everything (or not), and lots of local gourmet items. Plus normal grocery stuff. If you are looking for a quick breakfast, the hot bar is great!
1022 locals recommend
New Seasons Market
5320 NE 33rd AveLike a local version of Whole Foods, but better. Grassfed meat, organic everything (or not), and lots of local gourmet items. Plus normal grocery stuff. If you are looking for a quick breakfast, the hot bar is great!
Fred Meyer
3805 SE Hawthorne BlvdHas most everything, including outdoor and sports equipment.
Parks & Nature
Amazing views of the city. Lots of hiking trails, but does get a bit busy if its nice out, but it's a really big park. It's also a dormant volcano. A nice long walk from our house, or a quick Lyft ride.
405 locals recommend
Mt Tabor Dog Park
2219 SE Lincoln StAmazing views of the city. Lots of hiking trails, but does get a bit busy if its nice out, but it's a really big park. It's also a dormant volcano. A nice long walk from our house, or a quick Lyft ride.
Beautiful park within walking distance of our house with lots of evergreens and a few different walking paths. A great place for picnics! Seth and I got married next to the pond.
437 locals recommend
Laurelhurst Park
SE Cesar E Chavez Blvd & Stark StBeautiful park within walking distance of our house with lots of evergreens and a few different walking paths. A great place for picnics! Seth and I got married next to the pond.
Take one of the many bridges across the river and stroll along the river. Recommend riding bikes down there and then doing a loop from the Burnside bridge to the Steel bridge, and then back. The view!
212 locals recommend
Tom McCall Waterfront Park
98 SW Naito PkwyTake one of the many bridges across the river and stroll along the river. Recommend riding bikes down there and then doing a loop from the Burnside bridge to the Steel bridge, and then back. The view!
A 7.2 mile loop where you get to walk behind two waterfalls, and see six more. Beautiful and serine.
293 locals recommend
Silver Falls State Park
20024 Silver Falls Highway SoutheastA 7.2 mile loop where you get to walk behind two waterfalls, and see six more. Beautiful and serine.
Just a 30-minute drive, or take a shuttle tour from downtown, Multnomah Falls is iconic and beautiful. There's no special view from up top, so don't bother hiking beyond the bridge, save your energy for other small waterfall hikes along the same old Hwy 30 route.
974 locals recommend
Multnomah Falls station
Just a 30-minute drive, or take a shuttle tour from downtown, Multnomah Falls is iconic and beautiful. There's no special view from up top, so don't bother hiking beyond the bridge, save your energy for other small waterfall hikes along the same old Hwy 30 route.
Just a 1-hour drive to beautiful hikes around lakes and mountain views, check out the hikes for Trillium Lake, Mirror Lake, or Tom, Dick & Harry Mountain.
208 locals recommend
Mount Hood
Just a 1-hour drive to beautiful hikes around lakes and mountain views, check out the hikes for Trillium Lake, Mirror Lake, or Tom, Dick & Harry Mountain.
Described as one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan. It's beautiful in all seasons and has an incredible view of Mt. Hood on a clear day. They usually have a rotating display of bonsai on the upper terrace. Plan to spend about 2 hours here.
1015 locals recommend
Portland Japanese Garden
611 SW Kingston AveDescribed as one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan. It's beautiful in all seasons and has an incredible view of Mt. Hood on a clear day. They usually have a rotating display of bonsai on the upper terrace. Plan to spend about 2 hours here.
A walled in city-block garden downtown that has rotating special events, artists, and activities. Have a pot of tea and a snack in the attached teahouse.
405 locals recommend
Lan Su Chinese Garden
239 NW Everett StA walled in city-block garden downtown that has rotating special events, artists, and activities. Have a pot of tea and a snack in the attached teahouse.
Shopping
Runs Saturday and Sunday. Amazing NW arts and crafts. Definitely worth a look and just a short bike ride or bus trip away. Bring a shopping bag. :]
425 locals recommend
Portland Saturday Market
2 SW Naito PkwyRuns Saturday and Sunday. Amazing NW arts and crafts. Definitely worth a look and just a short bike ride or bus trip away. Bring a shopping bag. :]
The cutest little gift store ever. I dare you not to buy something here! It's all so cute.
51 locals recommend
Presents of Mind
3633 SE Hawthorne BlvdThe cutest little gift store ever. I dare you not to buy something here! It's all so cute.
The best bookstore in the US. think of something really obscure - they'll have a section of it. Plan to spend a couple of hours here because it's huge!
976 locals recommend
Powell's City of Books
1005 W Burnside StThe best bookstore in the US. think of something really obscure - they'll have a section of it. Plan to spend a couple of hours here because it's huge!
Terrariums, crystals, and taxidermy - curated by a proprietor who looks like Teddy Roosevelt and offers this store in honor of Roosevelt's interests in the natural world. Super-fun to browse and they offer classes to build your own terrarium.
Roosevelt's Terrariums
1510 SE 44th AveTerrariums, crystals, and taxidermy - curated by a proprietor who looks like Teddy Roosevelt and offers this store in honor of Roosevelt's interests in the natural world. Super-fun to browse and they offer classes to build your own terrarium.
Beautiful selection of handmade pottery, air plants & holders, jewelry, and artwork. A serene little spot to buy a thoughtful memento.
14 locals recommend
Carter & Rose
3601 SE Division StBeautiful selection of handmade pottery, air plants & holders, jewelry, and artwork. A serene little spot to buy a thoughtful memento.
My favorite place to find vintage and upcycled home furnishings at fair prices. This place is well-curated with stylish items that are more timeless. They also have a selection of clothing, accessories, and local artwork.
52 locals recommend
ARTIFACT: CREATIVE RECYCLE
3630 SE Division StMy favorite place to find vintage and upcycled home furnishings at fair prices. This place is well-curated with stylish items that are more timeless. They also have a selection of clothing, accessories, and local artwork.
Arts & Culture
This is a formal Japanese garden with an amazing view on Mt. Hood to the east on a clear day. It's great to contrast this one with the Chinese Garden in the Pearl.
1015 locals recommend
Portland Japanese Garden
611 SW Kingston AveThis is a formal Japanese garden with an amazing view on Mt. Hood to the east on a clear day. It's great to contrast this one with the Chinese Garden in the Pearl.
This is a beautiful Chinese Garden taking up a city block downtown. It's pretty any time of year and you can sit in the tea house and enjoy the view as well. A great contrast to the Japanese garden.
405 locals recommend
Lan Su Chinese Garden
239 NW Everett StThis is a beautiful Chinese Garden taking up a city block downtown. It's pretty any time of year and you can sit in the tea house and enjoy the view as well. A great contrast to the Japanese garden.
Getting Around
We've got great Lyft drivers - so much nicer and cleaner than the local taxis!
13 locals recommend
Lyft Hub Portland
13779 N Mississippi AveWe've got great Lyft drivers - so much nicer and cleaner than the local taxis!
Drinks & Nightlife
Good place to go for music that rotates daily. Check their webpage listings and descriptions of music: http://www.theliquorstorepdx.com/
51 locals recommend
The Liquor Store
Good place to go for music that rotates daily. Check their webpage listings and descriptions of music: http://www.theliquorstorepdx.com/
Holocene
1001 SE Morrison StTechno and live music, check their listings at: http://www.holocene.org/
Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade
115 NW 5th AveClassic Arcade with games and drinks.
The leaders of the city’s bluegrass, folk, old-time, gypsy jazz and Americana scenes, plus various combinations thereof, can be found every night at this entirely kickass bar. http://laurelthirst.com/
65 locals recommend
Laurelthirst Public House
2958 NE Glisan StThe leaders of the city’s bluegrass, folk, old-time, gypsy jazz and Americana scenes, plus various combinations thereof, can be found every night at this entirely kickass bar. http://laurelthirst.com/
Best selection of sour beers we've found. If they have the Kriek beer, definitely get that.
105 locals recommend
Cascade Brewing Barrel House
939 SE Belmont StBest selection of sour beers we've found. If they have the Kriek beer, definitely get that.
Excellent outdoor seating and lots and lots of beer on tap. It gets busy on a sunny evening but the outside seating area is huge.
115 locals recommend
APEX
1216 SE Division StExcellent outdoor seating and lots and lots of beer on tap. It gets busy on a sunny evening but the outside seating area is huge.
Beautiful historic murals and woodwork and with shuffleboard and well-made drinks.
351 locals recommend
McMenamins Bagdad Theater and Pub
3702 SE Hawthorne BlvdBeautiful historic murals and woodwork and with shuffleboard and well-made drinks.
Cat's Paw Saloon
3565 SE Division StA low-key fun bar with drinks, quesadillas, and a good crowd.
Doesn't look like much from the outside, but it's a nice sports bar with excellent grassfed burgers and beer.
Mulligan's
3518 SE Hawthorne BlvdDoesn't look like much from the outside, but it's a nice sports bar with excellent grassfed burgers and beer.